Experimental
Game Design is a studio arts course focusing on the creation
of innovative workable game prototypes using a variety of multimedia
approaches, methodologies and materials. Games are analyzed as cultural
artifacts reflecting behavior, social formation, and the representation of
gender, ethnicity and identity. Factors in game design including flow, game
theory, and game play gestalt are taken into consideration. The aesthetics of
game design including character development, level design, game play
experience, and delivery systems are covered. Alternate gaming paradigms such
as first person actor type games, social dynamics simulation, complex scenario
planning, non-violent problem solving, pervasive/convergence reality, abstract
play, and emerging forms are encouraged.

Primary to this course is the formation of
interdisciplinary collaborative teams consisting of talents from visual and
sound artists, programmers, cognitive scientists, designers, engineers, IT
professionals and others. Elements of successful collaboration are covered and
camaraderie of invention is encouraged.

The final project is a purposeful work which shows depth and quality of
ideation, innovation and interaction. The game prototype must be functional and
must be accompanied by a completed, well articulated game design document which
includes:
Title of the Game, Artist Statement/Philosophy/The WHY Factor (why create this
game? why would someone want to play it?), Predecessors or previous games/ distinctive
factors in this genre, Target Audience, Introduction & Story, Immediate and
long term projected socio/cultural project impact, Delivery System &
Requirements, Interface, User Interaction, The World Layout, Level Design,
Visualization (characters, flow
charts), Music/ Sound Design, Rules and Game play (Setup, Scoring (if
applicable)), Program Structure, Technical Specs (such as Physics, Rendering
Systems, Lighting Models), Implementation, Production Timeframe, Research, and
References.

Students entering the course should have a basic general awareness of
contemporary socio-cultural issues, have some exposure to interactive digital
simulation, and possess the ability for personal expression using any one or
combinations of the following: media applications, drawing, music composition,
programming, design, or narration. Students entering this course have had
varied backgrounds coming from Arts, LL&C, Computer Science, Cognitive
Science, Engineering and IT.

Technical Skills Covered: game design fundamentals, character development,
level design, elements of interactivity, multimedia game play experience, and
delivery systems.

Course Objectives/Outcomes:
1. Explore new approaches to the concept of “game” & “play” and start to define
alternate paradigms within this emerging expressive form.
2. Examine the work of several artists, theoreticians, and institutions who
engage in game creation.
3. Develop game programming & art making strategies which merge concept,
process and form - encouraging approaches that are at once inquisitive,
analytical, creative, experimental and articulate.